WILD WEST AT THE WISMUT?

Nuclear Bombs from the Ore Mountains

Author & Director:

Kerstin Mauersberger | Juergen Ast

Commissioning Editors:

Dr. Katja Wildermuth | Martin Huebner

Duration:

45'

Production:

astfilm productions | for MDR

The documentation looks at the wild years of the so called "Wismut", the gigantic source of the necessary uranium for the Soviets. A story full of contradictions, brutality, adventure, chaos, anarchy, terror and tragedy.

It is the story of an "Uranium-Empire", in a Region that was untouched by the War, but later to be inconsiderably exploited. The crave for the rare material needed for the A-Bomb, it had no limit. The workers, they were never informed of the dangers in the mountains and the constant exposure to radioactive material.

Only a few were really willing to go underground, many were forced into the mines. But many were also attracted by the bonuses they received, such as additional food and better payment. The "Wismut Society", they had their own rules, manners and customs, it was a tough life. Alcohol flow like water and Women were all around the quarters and the bars of the workers. Even the "rich" workers had to share their quarters with many others, so conflicts were bound to happen.

"Wild-West at the Wismut", a very emotional and suspense story. From very different perspectives the Protagonists recall the events they experienced. Exclusive film-footage grants a in-depth look at the life in the "Wismut". Also film-footage from 1956, showing the Soviet troops leaving ten years after they first came to the "Wismut", left behind a region full of scars.